Alex M. Szpilman

Probing the Biology of Natural Products: Molecular Editing by Diverted Total Synthesis

The systematic modification of natural products through diverted total synthesis is a powerful concept for the systematic modification of natural products with the aim of studying mechanistic aspects of their biological activity. This concept offers far-reaching opportunities for discovery at the interface of biology and chemistry. It is underpinned by the power of chemical synthesis, which manifests itself in the ability to modify structure at will. Its implementation, when combined with innovative design, enables the preparation of unique mechanistic probes that can be decisive in differentiating and validating biological hypotheses at the molecular level. This Review assembles a collection of classic and current cases that illustrate and underscore the scientific possibilities for practitioners of chemical synthesis.

Synthesis and Biological Studies of 35‐Deoxy Amphotericin B Methyl Ester

The use of molecular editing in the elucidation of the mechanism of action of amphotericin B is presented. A modular strategy for the synthesis of amphotericin B and its designed ana- logues is developed, which relies on an efficient gram-scale synthesis of various subunits of amphotericin B. A novel method for the coupling of the mycosa- mine to the aglycone was identified. The implementation of the approach has enabled the preparation of 35- deoxy amphotericin B methyl ester. In- vestigation of the antifungal activity and efflux-inducing ability of this am- photericin B congener provided new clues to the role of the 35-hydroxy group and is consistent with the in- volvement of double barrel ion chan- nels in causing electrolyte efflux.

Synthesis and Biophysical Studies on 35-Deoxy Amphotericin B Methyl Ester

The use of molecular editing in the elucidation of the mechanism of action of amphotericin B is presented. A modular strategy for the synthesis of amphotericin B and its designed analogues is developed, which relies on an efficient gram-scale synthesis of various subunits of amphotericin B. A novel method for the coupling of the mycosamine to the aglycone was identified. The implementation of the approach has enabled the preparation of 35-deoxy amphotericin B methyl ester. Investigation of the antifungal activity and efflux-inducing ability of this amphotericin B congener provided new clues to the role of the 35-hydroxy group and is consistent with the involvement of double barrel ion channels in causing electrolyte efflux.

Oxidative Umpolung α-Alkylation of Ketones

We disclose a hypervalent iodine mediated α-alkylative umpolung reaction of carbonyl compounds with dialkylzinc as the alkyl source. The reaction is applicable to all common classes of ketones including 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and regular ketones via their lithium enolates. The α-alkylated carbonyl products are formed in up to 93% yield. An ionic mechanism is inferred based on meticulous analysis, NMR studies, trapping and crossover experiments, and computational studies.

Design concept for α-hydrogen-substituted nitroxides

Stable nitroxides (nitroxyl radicals) have many essential and unique applications in chemistry, biology and medicine. However, the factors influencing their stability are still under investigation, and this hinders the design and development of new nitroxides. Nitroxides with tertiary alkyl groups are generally stable but obviously highly encumbered. In contrast, α-hydrogen-substituted nitroxides are generally inherently unstable and rapidly decompose. Herein, a novel, concept for the design of stable cyclic α-hydrogen nitroxides is described, and a proof-of-concept in the form of the facile synthesis and characterization of two diverse series of stable α-hydrogen nitroxides is presented. The stability of these unique α-hydrogen nitroxides is attributed to a combination of steric and stereoelectronic effects by which disproportionation is kinetically precluded. These stabilizing effects are achieved by the use of a nitroxide co-planar substituent in the γ-position of the backbone of the nitroxide. This premise is supported by a computational study, which provides insight into the disproportionation pathways of α-hydrogen nitroxides.

β-Glycosidation of Sterically Hindered Alcohols

The 2-chloro-2-methylpropanoic ester serves as a steering group in the Schmidt glycosidation reaction. Rapid and efficient glycosidation of a range of sterically hindered alcohols takes place under mild, acidic conditions to afford the glycoside products in high yield and beta-selectivity and without formation of orthoester side products. The 2-chloro-2-methylpropanoic ester is readily cleaved under mild, basic conditions.

Catalytic Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols using Recoverable IAPNO α-Hydrogen Nitroxyl Radicals

α‐Hydrogen‐substituted nitroxyl radicals are of considerable interest as catalysts for oxidation and polymerization, but are usually inherently unstable. We report herein the catalytic activity of a new family of stable iso‐azaphenalene (IAPNO) α‐hydrogen nitroxyl radicals in the copper/bipyridine/N‐methylimidazole co‐catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols. The nitroxyl radical Mes/TIPSO‐IAPNO (TIPSO=triisopropyloxy, IAPNO=isoazaphenalene N‐oxyl) displays higher activity than TEMPO in the oxidation of benzylic and allylic alcohols. Alkyl, benzyl, allyl, and propargyl alcohols are oxidized with yields up to 96 %. The readily prepared nitroxyl catalysts are recovered in 75–90 % yield after purification of the reaction mixture and are recycled.

Transition-Metal-Free Intermolecular α-Arylation of Ketones via Enolonium Species

Herein it is shown, for the first time, that enolonium species are powerful electrophiles capable of reacting with aromatic compounds in an intermolecular manner to afford α-arylated ketones. The reaction is compatible with a variety of functional groups, is of wide scope with respect to aromatic compounds and ketone, and even works for polymerization-prone substrates such as substituted pyrroles, thiophenes, and furans. Only 1.6 to 5 equiv of the commodity aromatic substrates is needed.

A Two-Step Protocol for Umpolung Functionalization of Ketones Via Enolonium Species

α-Functionalization of ketones via umpolung of enolates by hypervalent iodine reagents is an important concept in synthetic organic chemistry. Recently, we have developed a two-step strategy for ketone enolate umpolung that has enabled the development of methods for chlorination, azidation, and amination using azoles. In addition, we have developed C-C bond-forming arylation and allylation reactions. At the heart of these methods is the preparation of the intermediate and highly reactive enolonium species prior to addition of a reactive nucleophile. This strategy is thus reminiscent of the preparation and use of metal enolates in classical synthetic chemistry. This strategy allows the use of nucleophiles that would otherwise be incompatible with the strongly oxidizing hypervalent iodine reagents. In this paper we present a detailed protocol for chlorination, azidation, N-heteroarylation, arylation, and allylation. The products include motifs prevalent in medicinally active products. This article will greatly assist others in using these methods.

Cross-coupling of dissimilar ketone enolates via enolonium species to afford non-symmetrical 1,4-diketones

Due to their closely matched reactivity, the coupling of two dissimilar ketone enolates to form a 1,4-diketone remains a challenge in organic synthesis. We herein report that umpolung of a ketone trimethylsilyl enol ether (1 equiv) to form a discrete enolonium species, followed by addition of as little as 1.2–1.4 equivalents of a second trimethylsilyl enol ether, provides an attractive solution to this problem. A wide array of enolates may be used to form the 1,4-diketone products in 38 to 74% yield. Due to the use of two TMS enol ethers as precursors, an optimization of the cross-coupling should include investigating the order of addition.